Contact: Warren Throckmorton, PhD, Golden Rule Pledge, 724-967-5644

MEDIA ADVISORY, Oct. 20 /Standard Newswire/ -- On a day when many people are speaking out against bullying, the Golden Rule Pledge is releasing materials which can be used by churches to help prevent youth bullying. Available for free download on the Golden Rule Pledge website (www.goldenrulepledge.com/grpresources), these lesson plans and class activities can help churches become part of the solution to youth bullying.

A national partner of the National Bullying Prevention Month, the Golden Rule Pledge was created in 2008 in order to advocate for the application of the Golden Rule in schools and especially to speak out against anti-gay bullying.

"I urge people of faith to minimize ideological worries and become part of the solution to bullying in schools," said Warren Throckmorton, co-leader of the Golden Rule Pledge. "A middle school student who is bullied daily doesn't care about religious differences. He needs help." In September, three young teens ended their lives after prolonged anti-gay harassment. Churches can play a vital role in partnering with schools and other community groups to model the Golden Rule -- treat others the way I want to be treated.

Andrew Marin, Founder of the Marin Foundation and author of Love is an Orientation has endorsed this effort saying, "With such drastic consequences, it saddens my heart to see so many in the Christian world avoid a bold front-running stand to cut off all bullying in our schools, churches and communities. This curriculum is an easy and productive way to not only start the conversation, but show Jesus' biblical mandate for His followers to stand up and live differently. The time is now. Download this curriculum. Implement it."

Bob Finch, Director of Missions of the Pike (KY) Association of Southern Baptists agrees saying, "Recent headlines with regards to students taking their lives should be a wake-up call to all Christians to train our youth to not only stand against all forms of bullying, but to equip them to be used of God in putting an end to it in the schools where they attend. I believe this program can be used to equip and empower them to do just that..."

The Golden Rule Pledge (www.goldenrulepledge.com) is co-led by Warren Throckmorton, Associate Professor of Psychology at Grove City College and Michael Frey, Western PA Director of Campus Ministry for Campus Crusade for Christ. The resources can be freely accessed at www.goldenrulepledge.com/grpresources. For more information, contact Dr. Throckmorton at warrenthrockmorton@gmail.com.